Christmas Tree Ambassador rides

Every year our chapter supports the Forest Service's Christmas tree cutting in an area near Buffalo Creek. We ride around, greet people who are cutting down trees, hand out candy if we want to, and generally have a good time. We are the eyes and ears for the Forest Service in case anyone needs help - but basically we are all there to have a good time. Most riders decorate their horses for Christmas and make it extra fun for everyone, especially the children.

We meet at 9:00 a.m. to saddle and decorate our horses and ride from 10:00 a.m. until 2:30 or 3:00 p.m. We are helping out on

November 25-27 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and

December 3-4 (Saturday and Sunday).

If the weather is bad or the roads are icy - we cancel. We don't want anyone skating around on their horse or with their trailer. A member who lives in the area, can give the leader of the ride information on the current conditions. It's not unusual to have to cancel a day or two - but often the weather cooperates and we have a chance for a nice winter ride.

The Forest Service opens a gate and provides special parking for our trailers away from people so we can saddle up. It's a good day of riding and seeing the holiday spirit come alive with families and friends gathering to cut trees and meet Smokey the Bear in person.

RSVP to [masked] to be informed about specific directions to the parking area.

Welcome to the Front Range Back Country Horsemen (one of eleven chapters of the Back Country Horsemen of America). We actively support our national forests and other agencies in the Front Range area including Mount Evans and Lost Creek Wilderness, and the Colorado Trail Foundation in their trail maintenance work. Our organization draws its members from the Denver metro area, from Longmont to Elizabeth. Most of our summer activities are in the mountains within 1½ hours drive from Golden.

Our mission is to perpetuate recreational stock use on public lands through the legislative system, education and volunteer trail work. We have a variety of weekday and weekend projects scheduled to accommodate the needs and interests of our members. You can check out some of our newsletters on our website www.frbch.org. In addition there is more information and great photos on the site. We hope our activities interest you and inspire you to participate!

Whether you are interested in trail maintenance, noxious weed eradication and identification, packing skills, Leave No Trace principles, or back country safety skills – you will find plenty of ways to be involved.

If you’re a horse lover and don’t own a horse, many of the FRBCH members have horses you can ride, but you must be horse savvy as there are often streams and creek crossings, and other obstacles that requires more than novice or dude-horse riding experience.

Our monthly meetings, which are open to anyone, are on the fourth Tuesday or Wednesday of each month and the location varies. Please see our calendar for details.
Thank you again for your support. We hope to see you at our meetings and on the trail! Without trails where would we ride?